Handicapping And Scores

Posted to the QCMGA Website on May 22, 2021.

The following information on POSTABLE and NON POSTABLE SCORES was provided by Russ Adamson. Click here for a downloadable PDF of this information.

A score is acceptable for handicap purposes if the round has been played:

• In an authorized format of play over at least the minimum number of holes required for either a 9-hole or an 18-hole score to be acceptable.
• In the company of at least one other person, who may also act as a marker.
• By the Rules of Golf.
• On a golf course, during its active season, with a current Course Rating and Slope Rating, where length and normal playing difficulty is maintained at a consistent level,
• The player’s score must always be certified in accordance with the Rules of Handicapping.

If one or more of the requirements set out above is not met, the score is not acceptable for handicap purposes.

Authorized formats of play are:

Format of Play	Type of Round	# of Holes
Individual stroke play	Organized competition	9 or 18
Individual stroke play	General play	9 or 18
Individual stroke play	Stableford – organized competition	9 or 18
Individual stroke play	Stableford – general play	9 or 18
Individual stroke play	Par/Bogey – organized competition	9 or 18
Individual stroke play	Par/Bogey – general play	9 or 18
Individual stroke play	Maximum Score – organized competition	9 or 18
Individual stroke play	Maximum Score – general play	9 or 18
Four-Ball stroke play	Organized competition	9 or 18
Four-Ball stroke play	General play	9 or 18
Four-Ball stroke play	Stableford – organized competition	9 or 18
Four-Ball stroke play	Stableford – general play	9 or 18
Four-Ball stroke play	Par/Bogey – organized competition	9 or 18
Four-Ball stroke play	Par/Bogey – general play	9 or 18
Four-Ball stroke play	Maximum Score – organized competition	9 or 18
Four-Ball stroke play	Maximum Score – general play	9 or 18
Individual match play	Organized competition	9 or 18
Individual match play	General play	9 or 18
Four-Ball match play	Organized competition	9 or 18
Four-Ball match play	General play	9 or 18

18-hole Score

For an 18-hole score to be acceptable for handicap purposes, a minimum of 14 holes must be played. If a player plays more than 9 holes but fewer than 14, all surplus hole scores are disregarded, and a 9-hole acceptable score must be submitted.

9-hole Score

For a 9-hole score to be acceptable for handicap purposes, a minimum of 7 holes must be played. If a player has not recorded a score on at least the minimum number of holes required for a 9-hole score, the score is not acceptable for handicap purposes.

If a player records a score on more than 9 holes but fewer than the minimum number of holes required for an 18-hole score to be acceptable, all surplus hole scores are disregarded, and a 9-hole acceptable score must be submitted.

A hole is considered to have been played if it has been started.

Where the minimum number of holes has been completed and the reason for a player not playing a hole is valid, the player must use the following table to produce either a 9-hole or 18-hole score:

Number of holes played	Scaling up	What score(s) to record for holes not played
At least 7 holes	Scale up to 9-hole score	Add net par (or equivalent Stableford points).
At least 14 holes	Scale up to 18-hole score	Add net par (or equivalent Stableford points).

When a player starts a hole but does not hole out for a valid reason, the player must record their most likely score or net double bogey, whichever is lower, as appropriate for the situation and depending on the format of play.

The most likely score is the number of strokes already taken to reach a position on a hole, plus the number of strokes the player would most likely require to complete the hole from that position, plus any penalty strokes incurred during play of the hole.

Most likely scores should be determined on any hole in accordance with the following guidelines:

Position of the Ball	Strokes to be Added
If the ball lies on the putting green, and is no more than 5 feet from the hole:	Add one additional stroke.
If the ball lies between 5 feet and 20 yards from the hole:	Add 2 or 3 additional strokes, depending on the position of the ball, the difficulty of the green and the ability of the player.
If the ball lies more than 20 yards from the hole:	Add 3 or 4 additional strokes, depending on the position of the ball, the difficulty of the green and the ability of the player.

The following scores are non postable:

• When the player does not play their own ball, such as scrambles, shambles, alternate shot, etc.
• When the score cannot be verified by another person.
• When using non-conforming equipment.
• When the number or type of golf clubs to be used are restricted.
• When being coached.
• When not playing the required number of holes.
• When playing a golf course which has not been rated in accordance with the USGA Course Rating System.